Coin bank



June 25, 1957 w, BOWER 2,797,045

COIN BANK I Filed June 4, 1954 United States Patent ()fiice 2,797,045 Patented June 25, 1957 COIN BANK Frank W. Bower, Goshen, Ind.

Application June 4, 1954, Serial No. 434,458

Claims. (Cl. 232-5) The present invention relates to coin banks and, particularly, to a device in the form of an attachment adapted to be secured to a conventional container to comprise a coin bank.

A coin bank to be truly practical must provide a receptacle, a coin slot through which coins may be inserted into the receptacle, a one-way valve structure or the like at the slot whereby coins inserted in the receptacle cannot be removed from the receptacle through the slot, and a locking arrangement whereby the coins cannot be removed from the receptacle except by authorized persons. While the receptacle may take various forms, the provision of a coin bank receptacle constitutes a large cost factor due to the necessity for special formation and manufacture of the receptacle. In addition, a preference has been acquired in the art for transparent receptacles or containers since the same accommodate ready observation of the coins accumulated and saved. Obviously, the provision of a specially formed, high grade, transparent receptacle is very costly.

In my copending application, Serial No, 353,037, filed May 5, 1953, Pat. No. 2,709,037 I have disclosed an improved coin bank comprising a coin receptacle in the form of a conventional milk bottle and a coin bank cover attachment for the bottle. By utilizing a conventional bottle that is mass produced at a very low cost, I am able to afford a high grade transparent receptacle in a very economical and practical manner. The cover attachment is readily locked to the container and a coin slot is provided therein, a one-way valve being associated with the slot to accommodate insertion and prevent removal of coins through the slot. Thus, an attractive coin bank of a truly practical nature as above defined is afforded very economically.

Broadly, the objects of the present invention are to afford an improved coin bank including a conventional container as a coin receptacle and to provide an improved coin bank .cover attachment for conventional containers.

In respect of the cover attachment of the present invention, it is to be observed that heretofore cover attachments for various items have comprised a pair of cover parts hingedly connected at one side thereof and including latch or lock means at the opposite side thereof. In my aforesaid copending application, I have disclosed a coin bank attachment cover for milk bottles including a pair of semi-circular parts having an articulated joint at the periphery thereof on one side of the cover and cooperating eye means at the diametrically opposed side of the cover.

It is an object of the present invention to alford an improved coin bank cover attachment for conventional containers incorporating an improved, simplified and more economical arrangement for securing the two parts together in locked relation on the container.

In accordance with the immediately foregoing object, I provide a coin bank cover attachment comprising a pair of preferably complementary parts adapted to be joined together to complement and close the opening in a container, each of the parts including at the peripheral or outer edge thereof downwardly and inwardly curved fingers or tabs adapted to grasp and interlock with the lip surrounding the opening in the container. At the line of separation between the two parts, each part includes an upstanding tab disposed generally transversely of the line of separation, the two tabs being disposed immediately adjacent one another and having aligned bores therein for the passage of the bolt of a lock. Upon attachment of the parts to a container, and passage of the lock bolt through the aligned bores or holes in the upstanding tabs, the two parts become fixed together and locked to the container. The upstanding tabs and/ or the mating edges of the two parts prevent relative rotation and longitudinal movement transversely of the line of separation of the two parts in the plane of the lip of the receptacle or container, and the depending fingers engaging the lip of the container prevent separation of the two parts from the container in a direction along the line of separation of the parts and in planes at right angles to the plane of the lip. Accordingly, the present invention, while affording as firmly locked an attachment or cover as any prior art endeavor, greatly simplifies and effects substantial economies in the attachment and locking of the cover parts together.

Further according to the invention, the structure is preferably simplified and made as economical as possible by forming the two cover parts identical to one another, each of the parts comprising, preferably, a unitary metallic stamping including the finger and tab portions which are, subsequently, curved downwardly and inwardly and bent upwardly, respectively. At least one of the two parts is provided with a coin slot therein, and a simple but highly practical one-way valve is secured to the lower surface of one of the parts to afford valve means intersect- -ing the slot when the attachment is applied to a receptacle or container.

With respect'to the improved coin bank of the invention, I fabricate the improved cover attachment above described to accommodate attachment of the same to the opening and lip of a conventional, preferably transparent container, in particular, a fish bowl. As will be apparent, the continuous mass production of fish bowls by a number of manufacturers leads to a very low priced receptacle, particularly as compared to the necessity for providing specially formed containers in conventional coin banks. The coin bank of the invention is preferably supplied to the user as a complete bank including the fish bowl receptacle, the cover attachment and a lock. The resultant bank is economical, highly practical and very attractive, and provides all the advantages that coin banks should possess.

From the foregoing, it is to be appreciated that the present invention affords a highly improved and practical coin bank cover attachment for conventional containers, and an improved coin bank, both of which are afforded at the greatest economy possible.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention Will become apparent in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Now, in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with Figure 3is a planview of the basic stamping defining eachpartyand Figure 4 is a fragmentaryz'sectional view, on a reduced scale, showing the association of the receptacle lip and the fingersof the coinbank cover attachment.

Referring now to'the drawings, I:have;sh=own'-inFigure l-the bank of thepresent inventionas comprising a'conventionalfishbowl 10, serving as a transparent coin receptacle, and a cover attachment,'indicated generally at 12, for the -bowl, the attachment providing a'c'oin slot 14 leading to the interior of the receptacle and 'being adapted to be secured tothe receptacle or bowl by means ofa'lock I6.

The cover .attachmentllis.shown-inFigure 2 asc-omprising a, pair of .cover parts 1'8 and 20. Since the opening, or .open -end, .of a .fish bOWl'is usually elliptical, the cover parts 18- and .20 are each preferably. generally .semielliptical. However, 'it will be appreciated as the description proceeds that the cover ;parts may take other forms as-required to conform to various shaped openings. The cover. parts 18.and '20may be formed in any suitable manner, but the same preferably comprise metal stampings originally formed-flat as shown inzFigure B-andthen formed, in amanner-to be'described,'to-the form shown in Figure 2. As:shown .in Figure 3, eachof the parts 18 and 20, as originally stamped fiat from sheet stock, includes at the outer or peripheral edge thereof, a plurality of outwardly extending fingeror tab portions 22. Each of therfingers l22zisadaptedtobe rolled downwardly adja'centzthebaseof thetfingerso'that the fingers extend downwardly .or demand from the plate portions of the parts 18 andlZtl. "Also, thefingers .22 are rolledxinwardly adjacent thelower endlthereof so astto present agenerally convex outer =surface as the same'are viewedin sideelevation. As showninFigure 4, the curvature of the finger or tab portions 22 provides an interfitting engagement with the lip =24 surrounding the top or open end of the fish-bowl 10,-whereby theeover parts maybe secured to the bowl with-the-fingers 22 grasping and interlocking with the lip 24 and holding the cover to the bowl.

Along the mating edgesofthe two parts 18 and 20, thatis atthe inner edge thereof each of the parts is preferably cut-insuchmannerthat theedges of the two parts mate with and complement one another. Preferab'ly,the inner edge is so cut'as to accommodate-formation of a tab, to bedisposed generallytransversely of the line of separation of thetwo parts. integral With-each part. In the preferred r embodiment, this is accomplished by means of an edgeconfiguration includinga generally-convex'edge portion -26 a long about one-half of the cover=part, agenerally concave edge portion 28- along about the other half of the cover part and undercut with respect to the edge portion26, and a straight edgeportion fitl extendinggenerally transversely of'and joiningthe edge portions 26 and 23, preferably along the longitudinal axis of the cover'p'art. By undercutting theportion 2S with'respect' tothe portion 26, adequate space is provided for the formation of a tab 32 integral with the cover part andprojecting preferably perpen'dicula'rly'from the'edge portion 30. Other edge configurations will suggest themselves to those'acquaintedin the art and modifications of the edge configuration-are to be expected within the scope of the invention. "Also,- separate forrnation and attachment of the tab' to the cover plate is an obvious modification. 'In a-simp1e 'forrn,the'inner edge of'eaclrpart"couldbestraight, an'd'a'tab-could be separately secured to the part to extend transversely of and preferably intersect the line of separation ef the -two parts. However, the 'preferredstmcture is as shownan'd described, wherein the inner edges are ofirregular configuration andthe tab is formed-integral with the cover part to extend transversely of andintersectthe general line'of separation of the two parts.

By formingthe-inner edgeandthe tab inthe manner shownarid desc'ribed,---aminimum of =material is required for the stamping of rcornplete cover "parts "from sheet metal. Also, the disposition of the edge portion 30 along 'the-axispf'the parts,"transversely of'thelinepfseparation of the parts, accommodates :the association of two identical parts in the manner shown in Figure 2, whereby a minimum of dies and material are required in the manufacture of the attachment. Preferably, in the initial stamping operation, a hole 34 is formed in the tab 32. Thereafter, the coin slot114iisformed, preferably in the central portion of the .plate, .in alternate parts, as is indicated in dotted lines in Figure 3.

After two cover parts have been formed flat in the manner described, with the coin slot 14 in one of the two, the tab -32'of each part is-bent'to one'side of the plate, upwardly, to extendperpendicularly of the plate, the line of bending being indicated by dotted line in Figure 3. The fingers 22 are each curved to the opposite side of the plate, downwardly, and inwardly to accommodate the grasping andinterfitting relationship with the lip 24 ofithe bowl as shownlin Figure'4. The two'cover parts'are'then mounted on the bowl10 in themannershown in Figures 1 and 2,with each part closinghalf of the openinginthe bowl -or.container and with the fingers thereof grasping'the lip surrounding or.encompassing'the opening. The 'adjacent edges of the twoparts, as described above,.mate with and complementflone another, with-the.convex portion 26 of-each partmating with and'in the'concaveportion 28 offthe. other part,.and with=the two tabs 32 disposed immediately :adjacent one.another, preferably in abutting or substantiallyabutting relationship, with ,the holes 34 therein aligned. When thebolt 36 of the lock 16 is'passed through-thealigned aperturesor holes 34, :the coin.bank cover attachment becomes locked .to .the fish 'bowlcontainer-orreceptacle 10. Due to the bolt .36, the .two partscannot be separatedlongitudinally, thatis, at right angles .to ithe zline:.of separation .of the -.two parts, and thefingers;22 ugrasp the bowl to ,prevent raising of the parts. Relative movement of the two;parts. along'the'line of separationiisprevented hytheifingers22 andthe abutting relationship of the upstanding tabs '32 and/or the edges '30- of the two parts. 'Relative rotationofdheparts Band '20 islikewise prevented-by the abutting/relationship of the tabs'BZ- and/ or the complementary mating edges of the twoparts. This relationship, whichassures retention of the coin banlecover attachment on'the container, is existent'in-all forms-o'f'the cover irrespective-of the size or configuration ofi'the container'and cover. T he 'tabs -32 preferably'exten'd generally transversely of the line of separation of'the parts to'assure" substantial elimination of relative movement ofithe'partstransversely of-the'line of separation, and are preferably located at or adjacent-the center of the cover to insure prevention of relative rotation orpivoting ofthe'parts. To .disassociate the 'coverattachment from the container, the lock 'is removed and the parts 18 and20 simply slid away from onefanother.

To complete thebank, aone-way valve 38, preferably of thin section spring'metal, is attached, .as by "a'rivet 40, or in any other customary manner,to the lower surface of the coverpart ('18) having'the coin slot 14 therein. The valve '38 includes a plurality of resilient'fingers 42 which-intersect and span the slot 14,'the fingers 42 being fiexiblybendable to accommodate insertion of coins into thecontainer through the slot, and normally resiliently engaging-the lowersurface-of the cover part to prevent removalrof .coins frorn the fish bowl container through the slot.

From the foregoing, it .will be appreciated that the present invention affordssa highly desirable and attractive coinbank,lhaving-all the meritsa coinbank should possess, in.a very economical andconvenient.manner. The transparent receptacle, :comprisingpreferably amass produced fish bowl of good quality, 'is provided at a minimum cost. The cover attachmentof'theinvent-ion readily :andrconvenientlyimparts ally of the essential requirements .of a :coin bank to the.fishbowl. The rattachment itself is very economical of manufacture and incorporates improved lock means of a high practical and very economical nature that insures firm securement of the attachment to the bowl.

While I have described what I regard to be a preferred embodiment of my invention, it Will be apparent that various changes, rearrangements and modifications may be made therein Without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A coin bank cover attachment for receptacles comprising a pair of cover parts, each of said parts including means at the outer edge thereof to grasp the receptacle, a tab on each of said part-s adjacent the line of separation of said parts, said tabs extending upwardly from said cover parts and having aligned holes therein, and a lock bolt to extend through the aligned holes in said tabs, said tabs and said lock bolt constituting the sole means of connecting said parts.

2. A coin bank cover attachment for receptacles comprising a pair of cover parts, each of said parts including finger means at the outer edge thereof to grasp the receptacle, said cover parts at the inner edges thereof including complemental edge portions mating with one another along the line of separation of said parts, an upstanding tab on each of said parts adjacent the center of the inner edge thereof, said tabs extending generally transversely of and intersecting the general line of separation of said parts, said tabs being disposed immediately adjacent one another and having aligned holes therein longitudinally of the line of separation of said parts, a lock bolt to extend through the aligned holes in said tabs, said tabs and said lock bolt constituting the sole means of con meeting said parts, said tabs, said complemental edge portions of said parts and said finger means preventing re moval of said parts from the receptacle upon insertion of said lock bolt in said holes, and a coin slot in at least one of said parts.

3. A coin bank cover attachment for receptacles comprising a pair of substantially identical cover parts which together complement the opening in the receptacle to close the opening, each of said parts including downwardly and inwardly curved fingers at the outer edge thereof to grasp the receptacle about the opening therein, said cover parts at the inner edges thereof including complemental edge portions, said portions including a convex edge portion extending to approximately the center of the cover part, a concave edge portion extending the remainder of the distance across the cover part and undercut with respect to said convex edge portion, and a straight edge portion joining the convex and concave edge portions, a single ta-b formed integrally with each of said cover parts along the straight edge portion thereof, said tabs extending upwardly from said cover parts im- 6 mediately adjacent one another and having aligned holes therein longitudinally of the general line of separation of said parts, a single lock bolt to extend through the aligned holes in said tabs, said two tabs and said single lock bolt constituting the sole connection between said parts, said tabs and complemental edge portions of said parts upon insertion of said lock bolt preventing relative rotation of said parts and relative movement of said parts transversely of the line of separation thereof, said fingers preventing raising of said parts from the receptacle and relative movement of said parts along the line of separation thereof, and a coin slot in one of said parts.

4. A coin bank comprising a receptacle having an opening therein and a lip encompassing said opening, and a coin bank cover attachment for said receptacle, said attachment comprising a pair of cover parts which together complement and close said opening, said parts each including at the outer edges thereof downwardly and inwardly curved fingers grasping and interlocking with said lip, said cover parts at the inner edges thereof each including a single upstanding tab, said tabs having aligned holes therein, and a lock bolt extending through said holes, said tabs and said lock bolt comprising the sole means of connection of said cover parts and together with said fingers preventing relative movement of said parts and preventing removal of said parts from said bowl, and a coin slot in at least one of said parts.

5. A coin bank comprising a fish bowl having an opening therein and a lip encompassing said opening, and a coin bank cover attachment for said fish bowl, said at tachment comprising a pair of cover parts each including at the outer edge thereof downwardly and inwardly curved fingers grasping and interlocking with said lip, said cover parts at the inner edges thereof including complemental edge portions, a single upstanding tab on each of said cover parts, each of said tabs being located substantially centrally of the inner edge of the respective parts and extending transversely of said inner edge, said parts complementing and closing the opening in said bowl, said tabs substantially abutting one another and having aligned holes therein, a lock having a bolt extended through said holes, said tabs and said lock constituting the sole means of connecting said parts, said tabs, said lock and said fingers preventing relative movement of said parts and removal of said parts from said bowl except upon re moval of said lock from said tabs, and a coin slot in one of said parts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 943,407 Heimbuecher Dec. 14, 1909 1,948,133 Ringenberg Feb. 20, 1934 2,188,419 Saviteer Jan. 30, 1940 

